Russia's golden girls protest anti-gay law with podium kiss

Russia's golden girls protest anti-gay law with podium kiss

Russian athletes Kseniya Ryzhova and Tatyana Firova celebrated winning the 4x400 metres gold at the World Athletics Championships by sharing a kiss on the winners' podium at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow on Saturday.

The athletes' public display of affection comes amid the controversy over the country's new anti-gay law. The Russian law, passed in June, bans gay and lesbian "propaganda".

Image: Tatyana Firova and Kseniya Ryzhova of Russia kiss on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's 4x400 metres relay at the World Athletics Championships in MoscowPhotographs: Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Russia's golden girls protest anti-gay law with podium kiss

A few athletes at the World Championships openly talked about the legislation, although Russia's World pole vault champion Yelena Isibayeva caused international uproar when she spoke out in favour of it and appeared to condemn homosexuality, before later backtracking and saying she had been misunderstood.

American 800 metres silver medallist Nick Symmonds branded her as "behind the times", while Swedish high jumper Emma Green-Tregaro made a gesture of support for Russia's gay community during competition by painting her fingernails in the colours of the rainbow flag used by the gay movement.

After being warned the gesture broke the sport's code of conduct, Green-Tregaro appeared in Saturday's final with her rainbow nails changed to red.